The eatery, to be called “Casa Verde,” is from the team behind existing JP restaurants Tres Gatos and Centre Street Cafe. Co-owner David Doyle described the project Tuesday to members of the Public Service Committee of the JP Neighborhood Council.

“We believe a Mexican restaurant, really affordable, family friendly, would be a good fit for Jamaica Plain,” Doyle told those at the meeting, which was held at Curtis Hall Community Center.

Doyle and co-owner Keith Harmon passed around a draft menu. Here’s the possible menu, which obviously may change before the spot’s expected opening in October or November 2015.

711 Centre LLC

A draft menu for the proposed Casa Verde at 711 Centre St. Passed around at a Tuesday, May 5, 2015 public meeting.

The restaurant’s menu would mirror its sister restaurants in that while inspired by a particular cuisine — Spanish for Tres Gatos, Italian for Centre Street Cafe — that those traditions would be a starting point. Casa Verde would focus on traditional Mexican dishes as opposed to Tex-Mex creations like burritos. Tortillas would be made on-site. The menu would also be influenced by South America, Harmon said.

There was discussion of whether the new restaurant would compete with nearby Purple Cactus. Harmon said the two concepts are quite different: One a quick-service spot with an emphasis on wraps and Casa Verde a full-service restaurant focusing on tacos and ceviche. He said they would likely serve tortas instead of burritos, for instance.

As you can see from the draft menu above, tacos would range from $3-5, ceviche $5-7 with full entrees ranging from $11 to $17. Doyle said the spot would also offer a strong program of draft beers.

Harmon said the team was close to announcing their hire for chef.

20-Year Lease

With 58 seats, the location is an easier fit to attract families, Doyle said, than in the smaller footprints at Tres Gatos and Centre Street Cafe.

Harmon said the team had worked out a 20-year lease with landlord Paul Iantosca. He said the new project also plans to buy all assets of the now-closed Ghazal, including the spot’s beer, wine and liqueur license.

The terms of that license and others required by the city were the subject of Tuesday’s meeting. Committee members voted 7-0 with one abstention to support a 1 a.m. closing time and a provision that alcohol only be served to those ordering food.

In the beginning, the restaurant won’t likely stay open that late, Harmon said. He said it was they would probably stop serving their full menu at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends.

The location has an entertainment license, which Ghazal had used for recorded music. Doyle said there would be no live mariachis and Harmon said terms of the lease prohibit noise loud enough to reach outside the building.

Mostly Support for New Venture

Response from residents at the meeting was warm.

Jullieanne Doherty, the mayor’s liaison for the neighborhood, said based on conversations and emails from residents she offered “strong support” for the project.

“David is a staple in Jamaica Plain,” she said. “I’m sure we even know how much he does for Jamaica Plain.”

One man who lives near the spot sent a critical letter. He asked that the restaurant not mirror what he said were raucous late nights at next-door Costello’s Tavern.

Committee member Constance Cervone, a JP Realtor, also asked that the new owners respect deeded parking spaces behind the restaurant owned by her firm, Coldwell Banker. Although the spots are marked as reserved, Cervone said delivery people from the now-closed Ghazal often made use of them.

Chris Helms

Ghazal Indian Cuisine, 711 Centre St., has closed. A Mexican restaurant is planned for the space.

Jamaica Plain News hasn’t spoken with Ghazal’s owners, but Doyle Tweeted that the owner is selling Ghazal to pursue another venture.

It’s been a busy year for Doyle, Harmon and and Mari Perez-Alers, who is Doyle’s wife. They opened a revamped Centre Street Cafe, keeping Felicia Sánchez’ famous brunch but switching most of the menu to a Mediterranean/Italian theme. That’s while continuing to operate Tres Gatos, a Spanish tapas restaurant/record store/bookshop.

Jamaica Plain has a Mexican restaurant, Acapulco, next door to Tres Gatos toward Hyde Square. In the Centre/South district, there’s Purple Cactus, which specializes in burritos.

The closure of Ghazal leaves JP with two Indian restaurants: Bukhara, a few doors down from Ghazal, and the new Tikki Masala in Forest Hills.

More About

JP Local First, a network of local and independently owned businesses, is promoting “Buy Local” by offering a $1,000 shopping spree to people who snap and post a selfie at a JP Local First member business. “JP Local First has 170 member businesses in Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Steering Committee member David Warner.

A Texas-based burger and shake chain will make its case to the neighborhood next week to open an outpost of its fast-casual concept in Jackson Square. MOOYAH Bugers, Fries & Shakes seeks to open at 225 Centre St.

City Hall went against the recommendation of the JP Neighborhood Council, an elected advisory group, to approve variances for a controversial development at the corner of Washington and Green. Here is the text of the May 4 letter from the JPNC to the ZBA:
Christine Araujo, Chair
Board of Appeal 1010 Massachusetts Ave.,
4th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Re: 211 Green Street, Ward 11, BOA675434
Dear Ms. Araujo:
At the April 2017 meeting of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, held Tuesday, April 25, the Council members voted 9-3-0 to request the Board of Appeal to DENY ALL EIGHT VARIANCES SOUGHT FOR THIS PROJECT because:
1.

A Texas-based burger and shake chain will make its case to the neighborhood next week to open an outpost of its fast-casual concept in Jackson Square. MOOYAH Bugers, Fries & Shakes seeks to open at 225 Centre St.

Hi Rhea, David Doyle says the owner wanted to move on to a new project. That’s all I know right now. Anyone know more?

AlanThinks

A really good authentic Mexican restaurant in JP would be fabulous. Hopefully like Angela’s Cafe in East Boston

Walburga

This sounds great and I am looking forward to it. The draft menu looks like there is a chance that most or all of the food items will be gluten free – did the owners mention if that is the case? If so, that would be a wonderful thing for the people in JP with celiac and gluten intolerance. I would be sure to eat there frequently.

hydesquare

Glad to FINALLY get some good Mexican food down that end of Centre. In my opinion that nasty burrito joint across from City Feed is a disgrace (I don’t like hair in my food). I guess that’s what comes from having a twit for an owner.